(1) “A system of government that exercises a dictatorship of the extreme right, typically through the merging of state and business leadership, together with belligerent nationalism.”

The Pocket Oxford Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 1984) has a similar entry:

(2) “Extreme right-wing totalitarian political system or views, as orig. prevailing in Italy (1922-43).”

Of course, we all know that dictionaries are notorious for their left-wing bias. For that reason, for the modern American to genuinely understand fascism, it is beneficial to examine it’s key characteristics. Dr. Laurence Britt examined those characteristics and found 14 similarities among various fascist regimes of the 20th century. There are:

1.) Powerful and Continuing Nationalism2.) Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights3.) Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause4.) Supremacy of the Military5.) Rampant Sexism6.) Controlled Mass Media7.) Obsession with National Security8.) Religion and Government are Intertwined9.) Corporate Power is Protected10.) Labor Power is Suppressed11.) Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts12.) Obsession with Crime and Punishment13.) Rampant Cronyism and Corruption14. Fraudulent Elections

While this may give one pause, we must also remember that professors like Dr. Britt often have a worse left-wing bias than those damned dictionaries. For this reason, sometimes it is necessary to go straight to the horse’s mouth.

In the 1932 Enciclopedia ItalianaBenito Mussolini co-wrote with Giovanni Gentile the entry on fascism:

“Fascism, the more it considers and observes the future and the development of humanity quite apart from political considerations of the moment, believes neither in the possibility nor the utility of perpetual peace. It thus repudiates the doctrine of Pacifism -- born of a renunciation of the struggle and an act of cowardice in the face of sacrifice. War alone brings up to its highest tension all human energy and puts the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have courage to meet it.”

Mussolini continued saying:

“Fascism is the complete opposite of Marxian Socialism, the materialist conception of history of human civilization can be explained simply through the conflict of interests among the various social groups and by the change and development in the means and instruments of production....Fascism, now and always, believes in holiness and in heroism; that is to say, in actions influenced by no economic motive, direct or indirect. And above all Fascism denies that class-war can be the preponderant force in the transformation of society.”

The madness continues:

“Fascism combats the whole complex system of democratic ideology, and repudiates it, whether in its theoretical premises or in its practical application. Fascism denies that the majority, by the simple fact that it is a majority, can direct human society; it denies that numbers alone can govern by means of a periodical consultation, and it affirms the immutable, beneficial, and fruitful inequality of mankind, which can never be permanently leveled through the mere operation of a mechanical process such as universal suffrage.”

The beneficial and fruitful inequality of mankind? Sounding a bit like the Ayn Rynd freaks yet?

“Fascism denies, in democracy, the absurd conventional untruth of political equality dressed out in the garb of collective irresponsibility, and the myth of "happiness" and indefinite progress....Given that the nineteenth century was the century of Socialism, of Liberalism, and of Democracy, it does not necessarily follow that the twentieth century must also be a century of Socialism, Liberalism and Democracy: political doctrines pass, but humanity remains, and it may rather be expected that this will be a century of authority...a century of Fascism.”

“The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic State itself. That, in its essence, is Fascism -- ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any controlling private power.”

-President Franklin D. Roosevelt

So for the knuckle draggers among us tonight, I afraid I must repeat my plea, not only for the health of our nation, but for your own mental stability. You are a Reich Winger. Seek professional help immediately.

2 Comments:

Laika the Space Dog said...

1.) Powerful and Continuing Nationalism (that's why liberals hate "States Rights")2.) Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights (especially the unborn)3.) Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause (Republicans = Nazis, Fascists..etc..How ingenius to include this point in your article Alva!)4.) Supremacy of the Military (don't ask, don't tell, liberals know how to protect us))5.) Rampant Sexism (Rock the Vote, MTV, Gay marriage, Mastrubate for Peace, condoms in schools, Marble ceilings, yuk yuk)6.) Controlled Mass Media (NPR, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, am I missing anybody else?)7.) Obsession with National Security (Point well taken Alva, I'll concede on this one)8.) Religion and Government are Intertwined (Can anybody say Sharia or Islam?)9.) Corporate Power is Protected (FCC, SEC, OSHA, EPA, shall I continue?)10.) Labor Power is Suppressed (ever been in a Labor Union? I was in the CWA and the Teamsters, all they did was suppress my wallet and destroyed two places of employment)11.) Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts (especially mimes and whackos who piss on a crucifix or toss shit on a madonna, that's why there were all those riots and embassy burnings...no wait, that was a Danish cartoon. Damn Ayn Rand freaks!)12.) Obsession with Crime and Punishment (Ask Mikael)13.) Rampant Cronyism and Corruption (Bonnie Fwank, Alcee Hastings, William Jefferson, Harry Reid, John Conyers, John Murtha, Jesse Jackson, Keith Ellison, Hillary Clinton, just to name a couple)14. Fraudulent Elections (Funny there wasn't any on November 7th 2006? Hmmmmm....I wonder why? But just for fun: http://www.adversity.net/florida/Frame_Fla_Stories/Kennedy_Daley_1960.htm)